Having had a bad day in the office on Tuesday night, Welling United bounced back with a convincing victory at home to Stanway Rovers in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

After the game, Ryan Maxwell gave his comments. “I’m delighted that the performance got the scoreline that it warranted.” he said. “Some of our attacking was superb. Some of our balls into the box were superb. We missed a penalty, we had numerous chances to make it six or seven but we’ve got to focus on the positives. 

“It was a great scoreline for us because we were off the back of a defeat and it was a test of character today, test of mindset, test of commitment, and a test of do they have what I need. They did and I’m glad that that fans were treated to a great entertaining game.”

Maxwell made changes following Welling’s midweek defeat at Leatherhead and was happy with the effect. He said “The boys who have come in today have all done well but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll play next week. That’s just the nature of this team this year. Everyone’s got to be ready. That’s important when you rotate. It was important that everyone (substitutes) came on today. Everyone contributed today, start or came on, everyone contributed. Everyone’s got to come off with a good sound seven and a half (out of ten) today.”

Lekan Majoyegbe completed his suspension and will be available for selection next week. “Lekan was player of the year.” said Maxwell. “He is a very, very good player and he’s not been available for the last three games. We’ve got six points out of nine, we were involved in a freakish game on Tuesday, but the boys have done well, who’ve been available. We have to make sure that everybody who is now available comes in at the right time. Lekan has missed three games.

“Rambo (Louis Ramsay) is going to be training this week, Troy Howard’s training this week so you’ve got three super, not average, super players available. It’s what I wanted. I wanted a strong squad with depth and I’ve certainly got it.”

While Demaray Anyadike got the plaudits for his two goals and an assist, the last of the four goals was created by goalkeeper Mackenzie Foley. Maxwell said “Macca’s our first line of distribution. He’s a tremendous goalkeeper. He didn’t play in pre season but he got a clean sheet in the first game. He’s top quality. A top draw goalkeeper. It’s not just his shot stopping, he did make a save in the first half, I’m lucky to have Macca.”

Both of Welling’s front line strikers scored. Nahum Melvin-Lambert marked his full debut with a goal and Ade Azeez added the fourth having been a substitute. Maxwell said “Ade’s come on and scored when usually he’s the one putting in all the hard yards. I spoke to him today and said to him ‘you’ll come on and score. You’ll be supplied.’ 

Speaking about Melvin-Lambert, Maxwell said “He’s very clever for a guy of his size, six foot two. He’s smart. He knows when to peal off at the far post. He knows when to come near. He knows when to hang out. Not fully fit. He was injured pre-season elsewhere and I think he’ll only get better.”

Picture supplied by Ronnie Hicks.